MBA Admissions Q&A: Imperial College Business School

Imperial College London is one of the world’s leading and best-known STEM – that’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics – institutions. And where there’s innovation, there’s business – which is of course, in many ways a science itself. In 2003, the university added Imperial College Business School to its roster of faculties (though it had long offered provision in economic and managerial science)

The business school can now boast an impressive reputation of its own, sitting just outside the top-10 in QS’s Global 200 European MBA rankings. Located in the capital city of the UK, it offers access to the fast-pace and excitement of life in one of the world’s business capitals.

We spoke to Crystal Grant, head of admissions at the school, to find out what this young but prestigious institution seeks in its MBA candidates.

What is the typical acceptance rate to the Imperial Business School MBA program? What is a typical ratio of domestic to international students accepted into the program?

At Imperial, we like to engage with prospective MBA candidates before they apply and part of this process is to identify whether they are a ‘good fit’ for our programmeprogram. The programmeprogram is very selective and therefore we only encourage people to apply if they demonstrate the potential to succeed on an MBA, which is then explored through the formal application and selection process.

We are proud to recruit a very diverse cohort of students for our MBA programmeprogram, with over 20 nationalities in a class of just over 60. Students from the UK made up about a quarter of the most recent intake, but beyond this there’s a huge variety of countries represented from all continents.

What are the most important aspects of the Imperial MBA application process besides GMAT score, prior GPA, and current job position?

Although the GMAT score, academic results and work experience are all important aspects of the application process, there’s a lot more that we take into account when considering candidates for the Imperial MBA. Other components like the career essays, personal statement, video pitch and your interviews all contribute to building up an overall picture of who you are and whether you’d be a good fit for our programmeprogram.

We often get asked “What does the ideal candidate look like?” and “How do you weight each of the admissions criteria?” There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to these questions. The Imperial MBA aims to equip a new generation of business leaders with the skills required to find innovative solutions and create impact in society, so we look for candidates who will make a positive contribution to this goal. Leadership potential, motivation, a genuine interest in current business affairs, and a fit with our innovative and entrepreneurial culture, are all important but come in many forms.

What is one mistake you see applicants make?

There are few things more frustrating for the admissions team than receiving incomplete or rushed applications. You might be a fantastic candidate, but if you haven’t allowed yourself enough time to prepare for and take GMAT, fine-tune your CV and put together a strong careers essay, personal statement and application video, your application won’t do you justice. We aim to recruit a diverse cohort and look at every candidate on their own merits, but if your application doesn’t accurately reflect your abilities and potential you may be disappointed by the outcome. In the words of Benjamin Franklin: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – and that’s definitely not a good way to start your MBA journey.

What is something you would like to see applicants do more often?

One of the features of our application is the three minute video pitch which provides you with the perfect opportunity to set yourself apart from other candidates and helps us to gauge if you are the right ‘fit’ for Imperial. This is your chance to speak to us directly and tell us things that we wouldn’t find out from reading your written application. There’s no one right way of approaching the video pitch but we would really like to see more creativity and individuality from candidates. Be yourself – don’t try and be what you think we want to see and hear.

What does the Imperial Business School application process look like?

We organiseorganize our admissions through a series of application rounds that run from December to June. All applications are submitted online and we ask candidates to complete several short careers essays and include their CV, personal statement, degree transcripts, a three-minute video pitch and the details of two referees whom we can approach for recommendation letters. During the first stage of the selection process, we assess the application forms and decide whether to shortlist candidates for interview.

The next stage is comprised of two Skype interviews with senior MBA team and careers staff. This is a critical point in the selection process and your combined performance in these interviews, alongside the other components of the application will determine whether you are successful in receiving an offer.

What are some of the tests, official documents, and other hurdles that international students must deal with?

All applicants are required to provide copies of their GMAT scores and academic transcripts as part of the initial application, but if you receive an offer we’ll need to see original hard copies of your degree documents. Speak to your former school to request an additional set of official transcripts so that you’re ready to post these in, and allow some extra time for this as universities will normally have a standard timeframe for preparing these, especially if it’s been a while since you graduated.

Non-native English speakers will also need to meet the school’s English language requirement by achieving our required scores in an approved test – the most common of these being IELTS or PTE. It’s possible to apply for the MBA without this element though, as we’d add it as an offer condition if your application was successful.

As with all UK schools, candidates from outside of the EU will need to apply for a ‘Tier 4’ student visa. The length of this process varies a lot depending on which country you’re applying from, so check the UK visas and immigration website for advice on processing times and engage with Imperial’s international student support team so that they can provide specialisedspecialized guidance.

To avoid any of these requirements causing unnecessary delays to your application or enrolment, speak to the admissions team as early as possible so that they can support you through the process. Imperial College Business School has a very international student body, so we have a lot of experience in these areas.

How can a candidate overcome a lower GMAT score?

At Imperial, we are looking for candidates with well-rounded profile, and consider applications on their own merit but as a leading business school with a selective admissions process, there’s no denying that GMAT is an important component of your application. The GMAT is not just as a measure of your quantitative reasoning and analytical skills, but also your ability to plan and prepare for an examination independently, and as such any good school will take these scores into account when evaluating your application. It’s much better to put the effort into getting a solid GMAT rather than trying to justify a lower one – you’ll be competing against a strong pool of candidates so don’t put yourself at a disadvantage before you’ve even submitted your application.

Admissions tips

Essay: We ask all candidates to submit several short essays about their post-MBA career plans, and although we know that most candidates haven’t firmly decided on a single career path, we are experienced in assessing the difference between those who are exploring different options with those who are totally lost. You probably have an idea of the two or three paths you may want to follow. A sensible explanation of your options will demonstrate your approach and research – and separate you from those applicants who really don’t know at all.             

Interview: I can’t overestimate the importance of the interview stage, but remember that we are not trying to catch you out or put you through an unpleasant grilling. We want to bring out the best in you, after all, as that will enable us to make the best decision on whether you’re right for our programmeprogram – and help you to decide if we are the right school for you. However, our friendly approach should not be mistaken for encouragement to lower your guard or be casual, so treat the interview process professionally. Preparation, practice, good listening skills and finding the right tone are all essential for a great performance.

Letter of recommendation: Letters of recommendation are an important aspect of your application, so talk to your referees early and prepare them, where possible. Choose referees who will be your most enthusiastic advocates and have direct knowledge of your contribution to the organisationorganization, as they are in the best position to support your application. Try also to identify a referee who is “pro-MBA” and believes in the value of an MBA.

CV/résumé: Your CV is as important to your MBA application as it would be if you were applying for a new job. SummariseSummarize the highlights of your experience to date and remember to be specific about your personal achievements, not vague and general. If you raised revenue, mention by how much. Be explicit about time frames if you completed a project on time, and so on.

School visit: You should be assessing our ethos and values with as much consideration as we are assessing you. Try to attend an information session, admissions day or arrange a personal consultation or campus visit if you possibly can. Here you can experience a class or taster lecture, speak to students and alumni, and get a feel for what it’s like to be a student of Imperial College Business School so you can make a fully informed decision.